Fact Sheet 13
2007 Mine Management Plan
Overburden
Overburden is the term used to describe the material
surrounding the zinc-lead ore. It is the naturally occurring
rock and soil found in the region. Overburden is not
subject to any chemical processes at the mine.
For every tonne of ore mined at McArthur River Mining
(MRM), there is five times more overburden stored
within an area called the Overburden Emplacement
Facility (OEF).
The overburden includes some topsoil, clay, and a variety
of rocks. Each of these is stored in distinct parcels in
order to reuse materials wherever possible. The OEF is
designed to protect against any environmental impact.
Classification
Identifying the ore, overburden and the different types of
rock within it is important for both the mining operation
and environmental protection.
Geologists check each stage of mining using extensive
studies, geochemical testing, maps, surveys and samples.
They physically walk the face to be mined and mark it up
with coloured paint and tape to differentiate between
the ore and overburden. The geologists do more than the
minimum standards required by industry guidelines to
make sure all ore and overburden is categorised accurately.
The overburden is categorised into two types of rock. The
majority of the overburden is non-acid forming (NAF)
materials. These are types of rock which are chemically
stable and will not generate any by-products which
could impact on the environment. Only NAF material
is used on the external faces of all mine structures to
ensure that any runoff draining into the McArthur River
system has no acid forming potential.
 November 2006
Overburden Emplacement Facility
Potentially-acid forming (PAF) materials are the types of
rock that when exposed to air and water, can generate
an acidic water, soluble metals or salts that could impact
the environment. Studies show that 11% of the total
overburden at MRM could be PAF material.
For this reason, each section of ore and the different
types of rock are scooped up separately by the diggers
used to dump it into the back of large trucks. The trucks
also identify whether they carry PAF, NAF or ore material.
How they are categorised determines where they are
deposited.
NAF material is used in developing all mine structures:
the tailings storage facility, mine levee walls as well as
the Overburden Emplacement Facility. PAF material is
isolated and fully encapsulated in the OEF.
Any clay extracted from mining is also put to use around
the mine site. A large amount is needed for the mine levee
walls around the open pit. It is also used to seal the PAF
cells (see the section on Design for more information).
There is enough clay material on site to meet the mines
requirements.
All topsoil moved during earthworks on site is stockpiled.
It is used in the progressive rehabilitation of mine
facilities.
Overburden material testing
As part of the environmental assessment process, MRM
conducted a number of long-term tests to identify
both the NAF and PAF material. These identified the
specific type of materials most suitable for the external
faces of all mine facilities. The results were taken into
consideration in the design of the OEF to protect against
environmental impact.
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 Fact Sheet 13 Overburden Emplacement Facility
The tests began in 2003, were extended in April 2006
and covered over 650 samples representing all potential
overburden rocks to be mined. This is more than double
the number of samples required by other States for this
type of geochemical analysis and provides a high level of
confidence in the results.
When rocks or soil dissolve in water, the liquid is called a
leachate. The key focus of the tests is on the properties of
the leachate produced from both NAF and PAF material.
Weathered sandstone, teena dolomite, dolomitic
sandstone and breccia were found to be the best types of
NAF rock for external use. The tests on these showed any
leachate will be pH neutral, fresh and have concentrations
of metals and salts within the appropriate (livestock
drinking) official ANZECC and NEPM guidelines. These
types of rock are also hard and durable and will not break
down or erode over time.
It is for all these reasons that these types of NAF
materials are used on the outer surfaces and base of
the overburden facility. Other types of NAF materials
like pyritic and bituminous shale are less durable and
therefore not suitable for external use.
Materials categorised as PAF are those which produce
a leachate which can be acidic or have higher levels of
metals or salts.
Proactive testing of all types of rock will continue as open
pit operations commence to make sure the composition
of the overburden is always identified and thoroughly
tested. Areas scheduled to be mined are tested six-
months in advance to allow time for this testing. This
enables MRM to continuously review management
strategies and ensure there is no environmental impact.
2007 Plan
During 2007, the OEF for the existing test pit will be
extended to the north. It will be located between the

haul road and temporary mine levee wall that will be
constructed south of Barney Creek.
This facility will have a capacity of 1.6 million m3
including 0.4 million m3 of PAF.
As it will be located within the mine levee wall, the test
pit is protected from a 1-in-500 year flood event. It is
therefore highly unlikely to be exposed to flood waters.
Work will also start on the main facility that will be built
as part of the full open pit development, known as the
North OEF. This will occupy a 255 hectare area north of
the existing test pit and Barney Creek and connected to
the mine site by a bridge and haul road.
During 2007, the base of the North OEF will be
prepared and compacted. Only clay and NAF material
will be deposited in this first stage of works. A total of
2.6 million m3 will be dumped in the North OEF during
the year.
The base of the North OEF will be located above the
1-in-50 year flood level. Its outside wall will be lined with
a durable rock material to minimise erosion. Historically,
floods in this area do not flow at a speed that causes
erosion. The PAF cells will be located above the 1-in-500
year flood level as well as fully encapsulated so will not
be impacted by flood waters.
Interestingly, the shape of the North OEF has been
designed to ensure an archaeological site is protected.
This is the site of a stone artefact quarry. Custodial elders
and Traditional Owners of the Gurdanji people inspected
this site and advised that it had no cultural significance.
However, an archaeologist has indicated it is a site of
archaeological significance.
As a result, MRM has altered the design of the OEF to
ensure the site is not disturbed. In conjunction with the
Department of Natural Resources, Environment and
the Arts, the site will be fenced and signposted for its
protection.
 Fact Sheet 13 Overburden Emplacement Facility
Extended OEF location
Design
The extended OEF and the new northern facility will
both be designed with a number of layers:
The base of the facility is made from NAF material
and the outside armoured with heavy rocks to
prevent erosion. This base is then lined with
2m of compacted clay
The PAF rock is isolated by placing it at the
centre of the facility at least 25m in from the
outer edges
The PAF rock is then fully enclosed by a layer of clay at
least 1m thick which forms a hard layer that prevents
water from seeping through
The clay is topped off by a minimum of 3m thick of
NAF material.
The surface of the facility is shaped to shed rain runoff
into drainage channels which take the water to special
collection ponds.
The main overburden facility is designed so that PAF
is encapsulated in cells at the western end only. NAF
materials only will be placed in the eastern end.
Water catchment ponds will then be used for managing
any water runoff from both ends of the facility as a
further precaution against environmental impact.
At the western end, surface water runoff will flow to
what is known as the PAF pond. While the PAF material
is fully enclosed and the risk of any leachate forming is
prevented this is a precautionary measure.
Water from this pond is not discharged into the natural
system of the McArthur River. It is fully contained in
the mines water management system. The PAF pond
water is pumped to the Tailings Storage Facilitys water
management dam and reused in the processing plant.
At the eastern end, three sediment ponds will be
developed which allow runoff from the NAF to be
monitored and managed. This runoff is not potentially
acid forming but can include some sediment. The water

 will flow through the sediment ponds which are designed Groundwater
so the majority of the sediments are deposited.
Monitoring bores are installed around the mine site.
The water is tested prior to flowing to a discharge point Through these bores, groundwater is checked on a
downstream. quarterly basis and analysed for heavy metal content
and other characteristics.
Monitoring
Topsoil
MRMs environmental monitoring program has
demonstrated the mine has had no adverse impact on The topsoil stockpiles are inspected regularly to check
the McArthur River or Gulf environments. All current for wind and water erosion.
environmental monitoring used to check the overburden
facilities will continue with the new facilities.

Water quality

Water quality and sediments in the OEF runoff ponds are

monitored to make sure the PAF and NAF categorisation
and management strategies are working effectively.
Water samples are collected monthly from the ponds
and also after heavy storm events. They are tested for
the presence of heavy metals, acidity or alkalinity and
other properties.

MRM has on-site laboratory facilities to quickly

analyse metal concentrations in water. This enables
samples to be assessed in less than 24 hours by which
time decisions can be made regarding the need for
contingency actions.

Trigger levels are set for water monitoring so before the

metal concentrations get close to exceeding guideline
levels, corrective actions and safeguards can be taken.
This includes the ability to pump water from the NAF
sediment pond to the water management dam at the
tailings storage facility at any time when required.

Sediment

Sediment samples are also taken in the dry season and

checked for the size of particles and the presence of
heavy metals.

McArthur River Mining

PO Box 36821 Winnellie NT 0821
Phone: 1800 211 573
Email: mrmprojenq@xstrata.com.au
 Website: www.mcarthurriver.com.au
FIRST CLASS IN GRAPHIC DESIGN